Legal Services

Find organizations that provide legal help in BC. Most services are free or low cost.

Logo of Nidus with a stylized wordmark with "Nid" in blue and "us" in green, with a small triangle above the letter "i."

In-person help from Nidus

Nidus Registry

Nidus can help you with personal planning. You can contact them on behalf of an adult you’re helping. They have a trained volunteer who helps with education, with forms for making a representation agreement, and with using the Nidus Registry. You need to book ahead.

Last reviewed March 2024
The logo consists of a shield with the text "University of Victoria" below it, and the text "Law" below that. The shield features three red birds at the top, a book with yellow pages in the centre, and alternating blue and white horizontal stripes at the bottom.

First Nations and Metis Outreach Program

The Law Centre at the University of Victoria

May provide legal advice, assistance, and representation to First Nations and Metis clients who live in the Capital Regional District and who can’t afford a lawyer. Staff work with First Nations communities and organizations to provide accessible, holistic, legal services to their members. They also help with access to the Human Rights Clinic.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo featuring the scales of justice, in white, inside a circle. The left side of the circle is blue, the right side is green. Below are the words “The Canadian Bar Association British Columbia Branch.”

Find-a-Lawyer

The Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch (CBABC)

Online legal directory where you can find legal services in your community by searching for the location, area of practice, and language spoken to find all lawyers that meet those criteria. You can also find a specific lawyer or law firm if you know the name.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with the letters “BC” and the larger word “Notaries.” On their right is a shield with a lion on either side. The shield has the British flag over three wavy lines, all in dark red. There is a crown above and the words “SINCE 1926” below.

Find a Notary

BC Notaries

Find a notary by searching by name, location, or language. Notaries provide a broad range of legal services, including affidavits for all documents you need at a Public Registry, authorization of minor child travel, certified true copies of documents, powers of attorney, and will preparation.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo showing the name "Seniors First BC" in a modern lowercase font in a gradient of blue colors, each letter overlapping the next.

Elder Law Clinic

Seniors First BC

Offers pro bono (free) legal advice to eligible older adults (55+) living in BC on a wide range of legal matters.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo with "Plan Institute" and three overlapping green circles to the right, and the words “for caring citizenship” below.

Disability Planning Helpline

Plan Institute

Family experts are available on the helpline to answer your questions about the Disability Tax Credit, the Registered Disability Savings Plan, estate planning, advocacy approaches, government benefit programs, social network building, and more.

Last reviewed March 2024
Logo showing a white outline of a circle with the words “BELLA COOLA” arching round the top, with the silhouette of an eagle beside the “A,” and the words “LEGAL ADVOCACY PROGRAM” arching round the bottom. In the centre is a quill pen and ink.

Bella Coola Legal Advocacy Program

S.H.E.D. Society of Bella Coola

Free and confidential legal advocacy services including information and referrals, summary advice and support, and full representation in many legal matters including housing (on and off reserve), income/social assistance, debt, police accountability, human rights, disability, Indigenous legal issues, elder issues, child protection, and much more.

Last reviewed March 2024
ribbon icon and organisation name

Everyone Legal Clinic (lower-cost representation services)

Access Pro Bono

Connect with an articling clinician for a family, tenancy and strata, employment, wills and estates, civil, corporate, consumer, or criminal law issue. Schedule a free initial phone or video meeting with a clinician (up to 30 minutes). They work under the supervision of practising lawyers and provide legal services on a lower-cost, fixed-fee basis.

Last reviewed March 2024
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Access Pro Bono Roster Program

Access Pro Bono

Provides free legal representation services for particular case types to individuals with low and modest incomes. It includes a Barristers’ Program (limited and extended litigation services), Court of Appeal Program (civil and family), Family Law Program (limited scope), Refugee Program (for sponsors), and Wills and Estates Program (non-litigious).

Last reviewed March 2024
ribbon icon and organisation name

Lawyer Referral Service

Access Pro Bono

This service helps you find a suitable lawyer. Anyone can call to get contact information of a lawyer who will meet for a free 15-minute appointment. You can retain the lawyer at a rate you both agree to, but there’s no obligation for either of you to continue after the free consultation.

Last reviewed March 2024